Beneficial changes on plasma apolipoproteins A and B, high density lipoproteins and oxidized low density lipoproteins in obese women after bariatric surgery: comparison between gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy

Background The beneficial effects in lipid profiles after obesity surgery might be associated with the decrease in cardiovascular risk. However, direct comparison between different surgical techniques has not been extensively performed. Methods In the present study we compare 20 obese women submitted to laparoscopic Roux en Y gastric bypass (RYGB) with 20 women submitted to sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Twenty control women matched for age and baseline cardiovascular risk were also included. Both patients and controls were followed up for 1 year after surgery or conventional treatment with diet and exercise, respectively. Lipid profiles were measured at baseline, 6 and 12 months later. Carotid intima-media thickness was measured by ultrasonography at baseline and at the end of the study. Results Women submitted to bariatric surgery showed a decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides, oxidized-LDL and ApoB, and an increase in HDL and ApoA concentrations that occurred regardless of the surgical procedure. LDL concentrations, however, decreased only after RYGB whereas Lp(a) showed no changes. We did not observe any correlation between the changes in serum lipid concentrations and those in carotid intima-media thickness. Conclusions Sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass induce a similar beneficial effect on serum lipids in women with high cardiovascular risk 1 year after surgery.